Bulls Pick Up Third-Year Option on Matas Buzelis
bulls-pick-up-third-year-option-on-matas-buzelis
The Chicago Bulls have exercised their third-year rookie-scale team option on forward Matas Buzelis, the club confirmed on October 3.
The move guarantees the 2024 No. 11 overall pick a $5.72 million salary for the 2026/27 season. Buzelis is set to earn $5.46 million in 2025/26. Chicago must decide by November 2, 2026 whether to pick up his fourth-year option for 2027/28, valued at $7.58 million.
Buzelis, who turns 21 later this month, endured a slow start to his rookie campaign, averaging 5.0 points and 2.7 rebounds while shooting 38.6 percent from the field over his first 45 games. He closed the season strongly, posting 13.3 points and 4.5 rebounds per game with .494/.373/.817 shooting splits across his final 35 contests, earning a spot on the NBA All-Rookie Second Team.
If Chicago also exercises the fourth-year option, the 6-foot-10 forward would become eligible for a rookie-scale extension during the 2027 offseason and could reach restricted free agency in 2028 absent a new contract.
NBA teams have until October 31 to finalize rookie-scale option decisions for the 2026/27 season. Buzelis is the fourth player league-wide to have his option picked up.
Source: Hoops Rumors
